The recently established ARC Creative Studios will be holding an opening night and fundraiser at 1106-101st St.,North Battleford Saturday, Sept. 20.
The theme for the evening is Spark the ARC, an event to celebrate and kick start the ARC.
ARC stands for artist run centre. The idea behind the ARC is to create an open community-focused space for artists to work individually and collaboratively. Locating it downtown has recognized the group's commitment to the steps being taken by the City of North Battleford and the business improvement district organization of Downtown North Battleford to revitalize the downtown core neighbourhood. ARC Creative Studios wants to join the effort to make the downtown a vibrant and culturally diverse area.
Organizer Joseph Campbell says Spark the ARC will feature the debut performance of Back Roads, an acoustic folk music and harmony group made up of local talent Linda Mushka, Laird Brittin, Brendan Legario, Garth Harrison and Vistara Sidebottom.
There will also be a performance of Sedna: A Creation Story, a shadow play by Collective Voice Theatre.
Campbell says there will also be a "a cool photo booth by Beautiful Beholder Photography."
He says there will also be great finger foods to try, drinks and a chance to hang out with the artists of ARC Creative Studios and the evening's performers as well.
ARC is located on the main floor of the Kee's Tae Kwon Do building. There are 12 artist spaces and a storefront display area. The rental of the artist spaces should bring in enough revenue to cover the overall rent of the space, says Campbell. They also received a $6,600 grant from BATC CDC for start-up costs and the City of North Battleford donated furniture such as chairs, tables and peg boards that had been sitting unused in storage.
Artists who have set up at ARC are Campbell, Rosemarie Stadnyk, Chris Hodge, Sherron Burns, Michael Brokop, Kamila Badura, Marlene Yaqub, Maryanne Baxter, Joanne Rivers Wing, Amanda Fisher, Elinore Sunchild and Mary Culbertson. There are painters, mask makers, a photographer and a writer.
Tickets to Spark the Arc are $20, available from ARC members or by phoning Campbell at 306-480-9011. Doors open at 7:30 and the show starts at 8 p.m.
